Microscopic and electron spectroscopic characterization of dental enamel surfaces

The effects of surface pretreatment on the topography and composition of de ntal enamel surfaces of extracted bovine teeth have been investigated by sc anning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Surface pr etreatment with a solution of benzoic acid in acetone does not change the t opography of the surface. it leads to enrichment of calcium and, to a lesse r extent, phosphorus at the enamel surface. The higher adhesion strength re ported between enamel surfaces pretreated with benzoic acid in acetone and glass ionomer cement might be explained in terms of a greater number of che mical bonding sites due to the enrichment of calcium and phosphorus at the surface.